Piper Cherokee light aircraft crashes on Block Island

Photo of Michael Denning in Unsplash

An accident at Block Island State Airport left one person dead and two injured after a failed landing attempt on a short runway. The aircraft involved was a Piper Cherokee Archer (P28A), owned by the club. Condair Flyers Inc., based in Albany, New York.

The flight departed from Albany International Airport around 10:50 a.m., a spokesperson confirmed to the outlet. NBC News in Boston. The plane attempted to land at least three times, and on the third attempt, it lost control, crashing in a wooded area at the end of the runway; this occurred at 12:10 p.m.

There were three people on board, all originally from New York State. The fatal victim was identified as Dan Wilson, 77, a former construction executive and Montgomery County legislator. The other two people, also in their seventies, were injured and taken to the Rhode Island Hospital, where they are expected to recover.

More than 20 firefighters, police officers, rescue teams, and airport personnel responded to the call. The runway was temporarily closed.

Federal authorities, the FAA, and the NTSB have initiated the corresponding investigation. An NTSB investigator is expected to arrive on-site in the final hours to document the scene and remove the aircraft for analysis. A preliminary report will be issued in approximately 30 days and a final report within a year.

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Sources:

• NBC Boston
• Rhode Island PBS